Testing my website before the domain has moved

If you're moving your website to WebOké, you'll naturally want to check it before you move the domain name or switch the DNS. But as long as your domain still points to your old provider, typing in your domain will show you the old site. With the free tool Test your website before moving, you can already view the new version with us, while your current site stays online just as it is. You don't need to log in for this.

Two ways

Go to www.weboke.nl/en/website-testen. There you can choose between two ways.

What needs to be ready?

• The domain is already in a hosting package at WebOké. The domain name doesn't need to have moved yet.
• Your website is already in the package, for example via FTP, File Manager or Installatron (see Uploading and downloading files and Importing an existing website into Installatron), including the database if your site uses one (see Importing a database, including large files).

Option 1: view in your browser

1. Choose the View in your browser tab.
2. Enter your domain name and click Open.
3. Your website opens in a new tab, with a WebOké bar at the top. In that bar, you can see which address you're viewing and which IP address the site is coming from. Click Current site to open the site as it currently appears, for comparison.
4. Want to show your client or colleague the site? Click Share in the bar. The link works for 14 days.

Please note: with this method, your website temporarily runs under a different address. Parts tied to your own domain may then behave differently, such as reCAPTCHA, Google Maps, payments via a payment provider, and logging in with Google or Facebook. Test those with the proxy setting.

Option 2: via the proxy setting

1. Choose the Via the proxy setting tab.
2. Enter your domain name and click Add. You can add up to 10 domains.
3. You'll get a personal address for your browser's proxy setting. Click Copy.
4. Paste that address into your browser or computer. The page shows exactly where, per system (Firefox, Chrome or Edge on Windows, and Mac), with a short video.
5. Open your own domain in a private window. You'll now see the version at WebOké. All other websites will work normally, as always.
6. Done testing? Click Stop testing and turn the setting off again. If you forget, your browser will automatically go back to sending everything directly after 14 days.

Your browser will show a certificate warning with this method, because we can only create an SSL certificate for your domain once it points to us. Choose to continue. After the move, your site will automatically get a valid certificate.

Am I still seeing the old site?

• Reload with Ctrl+Shift+R (Mac: Cmd+Shift+R) or use a private window. Browsers often store websites for a long time.
• Using a VPN on a Mac? Then macOS sometimes ignores the proxy setting. In that case, use Firefox, or the View in your browser option.
• Does your website redirect you straight to a different address? Check that the address of your site in the WordPress settings is your own domain, and not a temporary address.

The detailed explanation with screenshots for each step is in our knowledge base, via the link on the page itself.

Done testing?

Does everything look good? Then move the domain name or switch the nameservers or A record. You can read what to expect afterwards in My domain isn't working yet after a transfer or change. Don't forget your email: see Moving your email: your options.

Tip: would you rather not move everything yourself? With our free moving service, we'll move your website and email for you.